Chapter One: Ringing a Bell

"It's bedtime!" Came a sweet voice from outside the door. It opened suddenly, and Lucy slipped her book under her covers. Her mother gave her an unreadable look. "Whatcha readin'?"

"A book," She responded plainly. Will stood up on his bunk. "Mommy!"

This, luckily, distracted Audrey. She lifted the child up and ruffled his sandy hair. "Are you ready for bed, Baby?"

"Nope!"

"No?"

"I didn't brush my teeth yet."

The blonde stuck her bottom lip out. "Go on, hurry up. It's bedtime for you."

Will was eight, but he was such a strong Momma's Boy that he hadn't yet outgrown his obsessive love for her. Lucy found this incredibly stupid.

"Mom?" She blurted suddenly.

"Yes, Darlin'?"

"Did you ever know someone named ...Orin Scrivello?"

The color drained from her pretty face. She tried to speak, but her voice was gone. She cleared her throat, then sputtered. "Wh-..Who now?"

Lucy adjusted her glasses. "I was lookin' in the old Missing People newspapers and he was from where you and Daddy grew up. Just was wondering if you knew him."

"I... I've heard the name." Is all she says. She kisses Lucy's forehead, then Will's, turns off the light and abruptly leaves without another word.

Lucy could vaguely and incoherently hear her parents murmuring for another hour.

After deciding that sleep was beyond her overactive mind's ability, Lucy found herself trudging to the kitchen for a glass of water. She was halted by the sound of soft music. She hid behind the wall.

The radio hummed quietly and Daddy held Mama in his arms, rocking gently to the beat. Before Lucy could roll her eyes or gag, she heard them speaking.

"Sometimes I feel like he's still there. Like— Like he's alive, he tricked us, and he's after them." Said Mama.

"Audrey, he's gone. You know that."

"I know, but, how can you be sure?" She whispered. "I know that you—... but what if you weren't thorough."

"Trust me, Auge. I was thorough."

There was silence for a while, broken by a whine from Mom. Dad stopped moving— he just ran his hand in gentle circles on Mama's back while she rested her head in the crook of his shoulder. Her shoulders shook gently. Was she crying? Lucy's chest twisted— she hadn't meant to make her cry. How could a name bring such bad memories for a person? She said she barely knew him. After a long moment, she spoke again.

"It's been almost fifteen years since I've seen him and I still get nervous to take the kids to the dentist."

Her father snorted at this. "Haven't I made it pretty evident I'll go to far extents to protect ya? Nothing's coming for you or the kids."

"I love ya, Seymour." She whispered in response. Dad placed a hand on her cheek, moving to press his lips to hers. ...Gross. Lucy covered her eyes and moved away.

Glass of water forgotten, Lucy had heard more than she thinks she should have. She quietly crept back to her room, and slept a pretty restless night.

Saturday morning came before she knew it. Lucy rested her head in her hands, propped up by her elbows on the table. She could hardly stay awake. The girl mirrored her mother in this— she looked restless too.

Lucy sat up when a plate of eggs was placed in front of her. Her mother bent over to kiss her cheek and squeeze her arm gently. "Elbows off the table," she warned. Will pushed his eggs with his fork.

Across from Lucy, James' booster seat remained empty, an untouched bowl of cereal placed in front. Above it, her mother frowned. "Jamie must still be sleepin'. You all start eatin'." She handed Dad his eggs before heading down the hall to the nursery.

James Gravis Krelborn was nearly three years old, with his mother's blonde hair and father's grey eyes. He was carried to the table with his face buried in Audrey's neck, clinging to her shirt. His face was pale and his mouth curved into a tiny frown. "I don feel good, Mommy." He whined as she placed him atop his booster and felt his forehead. She clicked her tongue.

"You're awful warm, Jamie." Her frown deepened. "I'll get'cha some medicine." She carried him back to his room.

By the time Audrey sat down to eat, the doorbell rang. She huffed, "What a day." Her husband placed his hand over hers and stood to answer the door himself.

"Oh, hello girls!" Chimed his voice from the front room. It was followed by squealing.

"Seymour Krelborn, nearly 40 years old and stayin' fresh." Was the voice that followed. Audrey dropped her spoon and stood up as well, rushing into the front room.

Like ducklings, Lucy and Will followed.

"Audrey!" Squealed Chiffon, squeezing the woman between her arms. "Girl, you just don't age. Look at her, Crystal!"

"I'm lookin', Chiffon. What a lucky jerk you are, Seymour."

"I know."

"Lucille! William! Give your aunty a hug." Demands Ronette, opening her arms to them. Lucy smiled up to her eyes. Something about her aunts always brightened the room. It was barely 11:00, but they barged in any time they wanted to.

"Man, did I miss this family." Chiffon stood up straighter, her arm around Audrey's waist. "So, fill a girl in. What's going on with the Krelborns?"